2027-NLS-0066 JA Redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval For Other-than-Full-and-Open Competition

Plan ID Number: 2026-NLS-0066

Form Updated 4/14/2023

Justification & Approval (J&A) For Other-than-Full-and Open Competition

As a Legislative Branch agency, the Library of Congress (Library) is subject to the competition and advertising requirements of 41 U.S.C. § 6101. Like the Competition in Contracting Act and the FAR, 41 U.S.C. § 6101 does not require competition when a contracting officer certifies that only one source or brand-name item is available, when dictated by public exigency, or when otherwise authorized by law.

This document sets forth the justification and approval for award of a contract or order by means providing for other-than-full-and-open competition, per 41 U.S.C. § 6101, LCR 7-210, and, as applicable, FAR 6.302, FAR 13.106-1, FAR 8.405, and FAR 16.505.

Contracting without competition shall not be justified on the basis of a lack of advance planning or concerns related to availability of funds.

This form shall be used to support instances where competition will be limited to a single source or a limited number of sources, including where a brand-name product is required.

Part 1 – Identification

1. Contracting Agency and Activity:

Library of Congress (Library) Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG) National Library Service for the Blind and Print-Disabled (NLS)

2. Nature of Action Being Approved IDIQ Contract LoC or Leg Branch Order GSA Schedule or GWAC:

Other:

Plan ID Number: 2027-NLS-0066 Contractor: RealSAM Inc./RealThing.ai IDIQ Ceiling:

Period of Performance: 12/01/2026 - 11/30/2031 12/01/2026 - 11/30/2027 – Ordering Year 1 12/01/2027 - 11/30/2028 – Ordering Year 2 12/01/2028 - 11/30/2029 – Ordering Year 3 12/01/2029 - 11/30/2030 – Ordering Year 4 12/01/2030 - 11/30/2031 – Ordering Year 5

3. Description of Supplies or Services Required to Meet Library Needs

NLS requires both (1) up to ~ 5,000 new RealSAM dialog licenses with technical support and (2) continuing support for 5,000 legacy RealSAM dialog licenses that are already owned by the Library. NLS envisions a single-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract that provides not only the aforementioned additional RealSAM dialog licenses and technical support for legacy RealSAM dialog licenses, but also comprehensive support for all of the Library’s RealSAM dialog licenses. The technical support includes, but is not limited to, maintenance, system documentation, and compliance with applicable laws.

Justification and Approval For Other-than-Full-and-Open Competition

Plan ID Number: 2026-NLS-0066

Form Updated 12/10/2025

Part 2 – Program Office Justification & Approval

4. Authority for Contracting Without Competition Over $350,000 For this requirement over $350,000, under FAR part 6, the basis for contracting without providing for FOC is:

There is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy Library requirements.

41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(C); FAR 6.302-1.

Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by contractor’s unique capabilities or products. FAR 6.302-1(b)(1).

Source controls copyrights, patents, raw materials, or secret processes cannot be acquired otherwise, or similar circumstances. FAR 6.302-1(b)(2).

Other exception identified in FAR 6.302-1:

There is such unusual & compelling urgency that the Government would be seriously injured if competition is not limited.

41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(B); FAR 6.302-2. Option years are not permitted.

Source is expressly authorized or required by statute (e.g., AbilityOne, UNICOR, GPO, GSA Public Buildings Service, Appropriations Act, etc.) per 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 6.302-5:

Other basis authorized in 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b) or FAR part 6.302:

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product or item which is essential to the Government’s requirement. FAR 6.302-1(c).

The Product is listed on the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable IT Standard Data Sheet)

Up to and including $350,000 For this requirement up to $350,000, using simplified acquisition procedures under FAR part 13, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

Only one responsible source is reasonably available to meet Library requirements. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b); FAR 13.106-1.

Product or service is reasonably available from only one source.

Source controls copyrights, patents or other exclusive licensing arrangements.

Urgent circumstances; only one source can reasonably deliver by required date. Option years are not permitted.

Source is expressly authorized or required by statute:

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product The Product is listed the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable

GSA Schedule Order For this GSA schedule order under FAR part 8, the basis for not competing among GSA schedule-holders and/or specifying a brand-name product or item is:

An urgent and compelling need exists, and following GSA procedures would result in unacceptable delays. FAR 8.405 6(a)(1)(i)(A).

Only one GSA source is capable of fulfilling the requirement at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B).

In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original order that was placed competitively among GSA schedule-holders (i.e., the original order was not sole-source or limited-source.) FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C).

Library’s needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product The Product is listed on the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable

Order Under Multiple Award Indefinite-Delivery Contract or GWAC For this order under FAR subpart 16.5, the basis for contracting without providing for full and open competition is:

The need is so urgent fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(C) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A).

The Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by contractor’s unique capabilities or products. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B).

A logical follow-on order in the interest of economy and efficiency. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(i)(2)(C).

To satisfy a minimum guarantee. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(D).

Authorized or required by statute. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(1) and FAR 16.505(b)(2)(E).

The Library’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by a brand-name product or item which is essential to the Government’s requirement. 41 U.S.C. § 6101(b)(2)(B) and FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i).

The Product is listed on the Library of Congress Enterprise Architecture Repository (LCEAR) database (Attach applicable